How to Breed Cattle After Calving

Dairy cows are often frequently breed soon after calving, as milk is produced in high quantities immediately after giving birth. During the 50 days following birth, cows produce a large amount of milk and cannot breed while they are producing milk. As cow gestation is approximately nine months, breeding should take place nine months before you want the calf to be born. Understanding the cow's reproductive cycle can also help increase the chances of success in breeding.

Things You'll Need

  • Food high in vitamins
  • Pasture
  • OvSynch (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wait 45 to 60 days after calving before trying to breed your cows again. It takes 30 days for the cow's reproductive tract to be ready for breeding, but waiting an additional 15 days will guarantee that she is ready to go into heat.

    • 2

      Have your veterinarian examine the cows and bull that you want to breed. Check to make sure they are healthy and free of diseases before attempting to breed them.

    • 3

      Inject the cows with OvSynch if you want to induce heat in them. Don't inject all the cows at once as the bull will not be able to inseminate all of them at once. The cows will be in heat after their second dosage of OvSynch.

    • 4

      Release the cows for breeding and the bull into a pasture. Allow them to pasture for 21 days, as this is generally the length of a dairy cow's reproductive cycles.

    • 5

      Provide plenty of food rich in vitamins for both the bull and the cows while pasturing. The bull in particular is susceptible to weight loss during husbandry.

    • 6

      Have your veterinarian palpate the cows after 21 days at pasture. He can then determine which of the cows has conceived. Repeat the process for cows that have not conceived.